by Tabatha Kiss
That little nose? I did that. Those tiny ears? Those, too. That adorable mouth and brown, fuzzy hair and all ten itty bitty fingers and toes. All me, baby.
My little baby boy.
He lived inside of me for nearly a year. Ate what I ate. Heard what I heard. He was a part of me, but now he’s not. Now, he’s a living, breathing human being...
Who looks nothing like me?
This little nose? Not mine. Those tiny ears? Nope. That adorable mouth and brown, fuzzy hair? Nada. Zilch. We both have ten fingers and toes, so that adds up, I guess.
He’s the spitting image of his father.
“He’s so handsome,” Lance says, smirking happily from the chair next to my hospital bed. “Isn’t he handsome?”
“He will be,” I say. “Once he grows into his skin.”
Lance chuckles. “He’s a baby, Trix.”
“When does he get cute, though?” I ask. “Melanie was right. Fresh babies are just weird looking.”
He releases a heavy sigh. “I’m way too tired to argue with that.”
“Damn,” I say. “A lawyer is too tired to argue? Call the press.”
Lance goes quiet, but he keeps his smile. He gazes at his newborn son with wide-open, exhausted eyes. For a moment, his face goes blank, but I’ve learned over the last year not to take that personally.
“You’re thinking about her, aren’t you?” I ask.
Lance looks up at me and exhales hard. “I’m sorry, Trix.”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s okay.”
“The last time I was here,” he begins slowly, “it was a confusing time. I became a father and a widow on the same day. It took a long time before I stopped dreading Haley’s birthday, you know?”
I nod. “Yeah, I know.”
“But today...” His smile returns. “We made it through this.” He looks down again and takes the deepest breath I’ve seen him take in months. “I have a son.”
Lance’s history has always had a deep effect on me. To grow up so young, to be a full-time father at sixteen, and to have everything work out the way it did. I admire him so much. His life. His career. His amazing daughter.
I’ve never loved a man the way I love him.
“New Dad looks good on you,” I say.
“New Mom looks even better on you,” he replies.
“Really? Because I feel like crap.”
He chuckles. “No, you’re beautiful,” he says, his eyes soft on me. “You’re perfect. He’s perfect. This...” His smile grows. “I love you, Beatrix.”
My heart skips in my chest. I look from him to our baby boy in his arms. “He is pretty perfect, I guess.” I sigh, trying to picture what his life will be like.. especially once his uncles get a hold of him. “The first male born in a new Argento generation. He’s got his work cut out for him, that’s for sure.”
“Or, you know...” Lance furrows his brow. “He could go to Harvard. Like I did.”
He flashes a smile. I tilt my head.
“We’ll see,” I joke.
The door opens before he can interject.
Haley pokes her head into the room. “Can I come in?” she asks. “Is it safe?”
I chuckle. “Of course! Come meet your brother.”
She shuffles in with a large teddy bear in her arms with several balloons tied around its hands. “There were so many cute balloons in the gift shop. I couldn’t decide,” she says, slightly embarrassed as she sets them down.
“They’re awesome, Hal,” I say. “Thank you.”
Lance expertly cradles the baby as he stands up and offers Haley his chair. “Take a seat first and I’ll let you hold him.”
She furrows her brow. “Or... you can just hand him to me.”
“Uh, no. Absolutely not.”
“Why not?”
“Because you’re very clumsy.”
“What? Since when?”
“Since always,” he argues. “You remember that jack-o’-lantern when you were seven?”
Haley looks at me, her hands upturned. “Really?” she asks. “You’re allowing this?”
“Sorry, babe,” I say. “I just squeezed a human out of my cooch. Not getting involved in Tyler family spats today. You might as well park it.”
Haley sighs. “Fine.” She sits down in the chair and opens her arms. “Gimme.”
Lance gently places the quiet bundle in her hands. “Support his back,” he teaches. “Put your other hand under his head, like this.”
I sit back and watch. Haley was fully grown when I met her, but I’ve witnessed plenty of moments like this one. Father and daughter, teaching each other and figuring life out as it went along.
I blink away the tears building behind my lashes.
Haley sits back and swoons. “Aw, he’s so cute!” she says.
Lance smiles at me, a man victorious.
I shrug, accepting it.
“So, did you choose a name yet?” Haley asks.
I nod at Lance. “Go ahead and tell her,” I say.
Lance kneels next to her chair. “Haley,” he says, “meet your brother, Henry Argento Tyler.”
She smiles even wider. “Hello, Henry,” she says. “I’m your big sister, Haley.”
Henry fidgets in her hands and lets out a loud cry.
“Uh-oh,” Haley says, looking nervous. “What did I do? Was it something I said?”
“No, he’s just being a baby,” Lance says as he swoops in. “Give him here. I’ll walk him around.”
Haley gladly passes him off. I smile as Lance paces and sways, easily lulling Henry back to sleep within a minute.
“Wow, that’s hot,” I say, staring at him.
Haley glowers. “Guess that’s something to get used to from now on. Babies cry a lot.”
I look at Lance. He makes eye contact with me and I can tell we’re both thinking the same thing. “Now?” I ask aloud.
Lance walks over to stand beside me by the bed. “Yeah, now,” he answers.
“Now, what?” Haley asks.
I smile. “Haley, we have something we want to talk to you about.”
Haley sits up in the chair. “Is everything okay?” she asks.
“Everything is fine,” I answer. “It’s nothing bad. We have a surprise for you.”
Her face brightens. “A surprise?”
“It’s no secret that the house has been feeling a little cramped lately since I moved in,” I say.
“What?” She shakes her head. “No, it hasn’t.”
“Yes, it has,” Lance says.
“It will only get worse now that Henry is here,” I say. “And we don’t think that’s very fair to you. You’re a full-time student. You deserve to have your own space, somewhere peaceful and quiet to sleep and study, and you will not get that in a house with a newborn baby.”
Haley nods. “Okay...”
“So, we’ve decided that we will give you that place,” I say, smiling. “Your own place, actually.”
She freezes. “Excuse me, what?”
“I still technically own my apartment. It’s in a nice neighborhood, far but not too far away from campus—”
“You’re giving me your apartment?!”
“For sleeping and studying only,” Lance says, punching every word.
Haley pushes out of the chair, nearly falling over. “Are you serious?” she asks. “Tell me you’re serious.”
I grin. “We’re serious, honey.”
Lance stands taller. “It’s a responsibility, Hal, not a party zone,” he says. “I still expect good grades and—”
She bounces up and down. “Oh, my god. Oh, my god.”
“If I find one beer can, it’s all over.”
I roll my eyes.
Haley rushes to the bed and hugs me. “Thank you!” she says. “Thank you, Trix. Thank you!”
“You’re welcome, kid,” I say, laughing.
“One beer can, Haley,” Lance repeats.
“I have to go tell Lisa!” she says as she races
out of the room with her phone in hand.
Lance sighs. “Please tell me I won’t regret this.”
“Oh, no, you’ll regret it,” I tease. “Definitely.”
“Fantastic.”
He lays Henry down on the bassinet beside the bed before sitting down next to me. I shift to the side, giving him some space, and he wraps a strong arm around me.
“Thank you,” he whispers in my ear. “I know I say that a lot when it comes to her, but I really can’t tell you how much I appreciate you.”
I look at him and his expression shifts.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
“Yeah,” I answer. “Why?”
“You’re crying.”
“Oh.” I touch my cheek, feeling tears. “No, I’m fine, just...” I take a deep breath. “Is it weird that I wish my father was here?” I ask.
Lance shakes his head once. “No. Not weird at all.”
“I see you and Haley together and it’s hard not to think about him. You know?”
“Yeah, I know.”
“His grandchild was just born. Henry will be two years old by the time he gets to meet him.”
“He’ll be two days old, actually.”
I turn, noticing the smirk on Lance’s face. “What?” I ask.
“I pulled a few strings,” he says. “Starting tomorrow, Angelo will receive a four-day furlough so he can meet his grandchild.”
“Furlough?” I repeat, my eyes running over again. “You got him furlough?”
“He’s not my favorite person in the world, obviously,” he says, “but I knew how important this was to you. He’s your father, for better or worse, and he’s Henry’s grandfather. I can be the bigger man here. Also…” He takes my left hand and admires the ring on my finger. “I think we should get married. You wanted him there for that, so let’s do it while he’s out. Something quick at the courthouse to make it official and then plan something bigger for when he gets out. Whatever you want. I’m on board.”
I stare at him, shocked and so utterly in love. “Lance,” I say, speechless.
Lance kisses my knuckles. “Surprise,” he whispers.
I throw my arms around him. “I love you so much,” I say.
Lance pushes my hair aside and kisses my forehead, making me feel warm and loved and cared for and everything in-between. “I love you, too,” he says. “You should get some rest. It’s been a big day.”
I take another peek at the little baby boy in the bassinet beside us before closing my eyes and resting against Lance’s chest.
Our simple life gets more complicated every day.
But I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Epilogue: Melanie
I stare into her tiny eyes, and a wave of fear grips my stomach. “I don’t know if we’re ready for this,” I say.
Robbie sighs beside me. “Yes, we are.”
I stand up. “Are you sure?”
“Yes!” he answers for the fortieth time.
“It’s a lot of responsibility, though.”
He shrugs. “We can handle it.”
“But there’s...” I hesitate, “feeding schedules and potty training.”
“It’s not as hard as you’d think, Mel,” he says.
“And walks!” I add. “Who’s going to walk her around and pick up after her when she poos?”
“We will.”
I frown.
“Okay, I will,” he says with a laugh. “Trust me, Melanie. We’re ready for this.”
I turn to gaze into the cage again. “Well, she is really cute,” I say, kneeling on the floor. “With the big ears and stumpy tail.”
The corgi puppy stares up at me. She wags her bum as she spins around in circles, more than a little excited to get out of that cage.
“Aww,” I say, smiling.
Robbie lowers down with me. “See?” he says. “Nothing to be scared of. Just a little puppy.”
I swoon a little more. “I’ve never had a dog before,” I say.
He rubs my back. “I’ll walk you through it. We’ll teach her how to fetch at the dog park and how to walk up and down stairs. It’ll be fun.”
“It sounds fun,” I consider. “And Trix and Lance have a pooch, too. So, they can be friends. Go on little doggy play dates and stuff.”
“Exactly.”
A woman approaches us from down the hall with a clipboard and a set of keys. “Are you two ready to become parents?” she asks, smiling.
Another rush of fear strikes my gut, but one look at Robbie and it all melts away.
“Yes,” I answer. “Yes, we’re ready.”
She grins as she unlocks the cage. As soon as she’s able, the puppy hops toward us. She reaches up Robbie’s calf, and he scoops her off the floor, allowing her to lick the crap out of his face.
“Hey, Sasha!” he greets. “I’m Robbie.”
She barks happily.
I laugh, completely in love at the first sight of them.
Robbie and I lie on the bed side-by-side, barely able to keep our eyes open after a long day of introducing Sasha to her new home. She rests, finally, at our feet, all curled up in the blanket while Robbie and I quietly chat by lamplight.
“Who knew being a puppy parent was so exhausting?” I ask, keeping my voice low so I don’t wake her up.
Robbie chuckles. “We’ll get the hang of it.”
“We never even left the apartment,” I say. “She literally just ran around this place for hours and hours and she never looked bored. Not once.”
“That’s a puppy for you.”
I look at Robbie. “Thanks for talking me into this,” I say. “It was a good idea.”
He briefly stretches his arms above his head. “I didn’t talk you into anything.”
“You know what I mean. I’ve never been one to veer too far outside of my comfort zone. There’s so much I never would have done if it weren’t for you, so... thank you.”
Robbie pauses, his gaze locked on mine. “You’re welcome,” he says.
I present my hand and he takes it, entwining our fingers together as he leans toward my lips.
Sasha rolls over and hoists herself up on all fours, suddenly very, very awake again.
“Think she needs to go out?” I ask.
Robbie sits up. “Yeah, I’ll go.”
“Want me to go with you?”
“No, you stay here and...” He leans in, stealing that kiss she interrupted. “Stay warm for me.”
“Will do,” I say, kissing him back.
Robbie picks up Sasha and gently sets her on the floor. “C’mon, girl, let’s take a walk.”
I lie back and listen as he attaches the leash to her collar and leads her out into the hallway. With tired eyes, I glance around the bedroom and, just like every other night, I’m amazed that this is my life.
After so many years of heartache, the very best parts of me and Robbie found each other again. Nora and Clive are bound together in kinky, wedded bliss. Trix and Lance have a beautiful baby boy. I have no idea what tomorrow will bring. This Sunday’s brunch could throw an entirely new curve ball into our lives and I’m genuinely excited for what that could be.
All’s right with the world.
Or, as they say in my business...
They all lived happily ever after.
Thank you so much for reading! The Chicago Nights series is now complete, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop reading!
Have you met the Botsford Boys? Yes, of the Botsford Plaza Botsfords! You can meet all four brothers in my Heartthrob Hotel series!
Turn the page to meet Graham, the eldest brother, and Jen, the one who got away…
Excerpt: Just a Touch
Graham
Monsoon season. Of all the times to come home again.
If I even make it home again, that is. Las Vegas drivers have no idea how to drive in these infrequent downpours but I must give this taxi driver some credit. We’re not dead yet.
“Sir? Sir?”
> The taxi lurches to a stop and the driver mutters something vulgar under his breath before moving on. I watch out my window as the car behind us blares their horn and flips an angry hand gesture in our direction.
“Graham.”
I blink away from the window to find my assistant gawking at me over her blue-rimmed glasses from the seat beside me.
“What is it, Paige?” I ask her.
She tilts her head. “I asked if I could have the night off so I can go see my mother and then your eyes went dead. Are you okay?”
I chuckle. “Right. Yes. Of course. Take the weekend, actually.”
“Sweet,” she says, pitching her voice. She turns back to her phone and texts away. “Not gonna argue against a weekend in Vegas.”
“Just be back at the hotel first thing Monday morning,” I say. “We’ll be in and out of meetings all week and I—”
“Need me?” she says, batting her young eyes. “Can’t live without me?”
I nod. “Something like that, yes.”
“I will have my inevitable hangover slept off and my business heels strapped on. You can count on me, boss.”
“Good to hear.”
I turn my head, scanning the wet, slippery roads again as we take a sharp corner, passing the Las Vegas strip. The sun is setting and the lights are just starting to flicker on, signaling the beginning of a standard weekend Vegas adventure.
“And...” Paige nudges me with her elbow, “how will you be spending your weekend?”
“Preparing for a week of meetings,” I answer.
She scoffs. “Oh, come on. That’s it? This is Las Vegas.”
“I grew up here,” I say, amused. “I’ve already done it all.”
“You’ve done it all?” she asks, doubtful. “You’ve done all the Vegas?”
“Yes.”
“Have you been to the top of Stratosphere Tower?”
“Yes.”
“Have you seen Celine?”
“Yes.”
Her face screws up in disbelief. “Oh. No, you have not.”
“Yes, I have,” I say, raising two fingers. “Took my mother for her fiftieth birthday two years ago.”
Paige hums and sits back in her seat. “Well, have you had a quickie, drunken wedding?”